Free Legion Of The Damned - 06 - For Those Who Fell by William C. Dietz Page A

everywhere, and were ready for it.
    Platoon leaders rated a four-person shelter or squat all to themselves, and like everything else in the area, Santana’s was covered with dust. The legionnaires were about ten feet away from the front of the dome-shaped tent when a Hudathan emerged. He scowled at them. “Who the hell are you? ”
    â€œI’m Sergeant Dietrich—and this is Private Fareye. We’re with the 2nd platoon, Alpha Company, 1st REC. And you are?”
    â€œI’m the one who’s about to call your company sergeant and tell her that you’re out roaming around where you shouldn’t be,” the gunnery sergeant replied. “Or should I call your platoon leader instead?”
    Dietrich had been in the Legion a long time, had dealt with every kind of NCO there was, and the expression on his leathery face didn’t change one iota. “Call anyone you like, gunny. We have passes. Is the lieutenant in?”
    Kuga-Ka made no reply other than to grunt, barge between them, and stomp away.
    The legionnaires looked at each other and shook their heads in mutual amazement as they approached the tent.“Lieutenant Santana?” Dietrich called. “Are you in there?” But there was no response. A quick peek confirmed that the squat was empty.
    â€œSo what was that about?” Fareye wondered out loud.
    Dietrich shrugged. “Beats the hell out of me. Well, let’s grab some shade and take a load off. The loot will probably turn up soon.”
    Santana returned twenty minutes later, spotted the twosome emerging from a patch of shade, and returned their salutes. “Well, I’ll be damned . . . Aren’t you two supposed to be back on LaNor?” Dietrich had a tendency to be rather ruthless at times, and Fareye wasn’t above a bit of larceny, but he felt a real sense of affection for both of them. In a tight situation, when the chips were down, no officer could ask for better soldiers.
    â€œNo sir,” Dietrich replied, stepping forward to shake the platoon leader’s hand. “You left, the captain took some staff job on Algeron, and the new CO arrived. There wasn’t anything wrong with her except for the fact that she’s infantry, and we’re cavalry. If you take my meaning, sir.”
    Santana grinned, read between the lines, and figured the new officer was green as grass, something of a tight-ass, or a combination of both. “Well, we’re lucky to have you whatever the reason. Which outfit were you assigned to?”
    â€œAlpha Company, sir. Second platoon,” Dietrich answered. “It’s a good group but we wondered if the lieutenant’s platoon is up to full strength?”
    â€œIt is,” Santana answered, “but I’ll check with the company sergeant. Maybe we have some slots in one of the other platoons.”
    Dietrich nodded. Once he and Fareye were on the company’s muster sheet they’d find a way to join Santana’s platoon. “Thank you, sir. Your company sergeant. . . Is he Hudathan by any chance?”
    â€œWhy yes,” Santana replied, “he is. How did you know?”
    â€œA Hudathan gunnery sergeant was leaving your tent just as we arrived,” Fareye responded. “It said, ‘Kuga-Ka’ on his name tag.”
    â€œThanks,” Santana said, his eyes narrowing. “I’m scheduled to meet with him later this afternoon. I’ll check on those slots when I do.”
    â€œThank you, sir,” Dietrich replied. “Well, we’d better get going, but we’ll see you around.”
    â€œThat’s affirmative,” Santana said. “Camerone!”
    â€œCamerone!” the legionnaires answered, as they snapped to attention and saluted.
    Santana responded in kind, watched them depart, and wondered what Kuga-Ka had been doing inside his tent. Searching it probably—looking for some sort of leverage.
    â€œSo,”